Tom was elected Mayor of the Gold Coast in April 2012. He has qualifications in civil engineering from the University of New South Wales.

He started his career in the construction industry and moved into the tourism and hospitality industry. Tom has served as CEO of his family-owned business, which includes the Islander Resort Hotel in Surfers Paradise and the Sanctuary Resort in Malaysia, for almost 20 years.

Tom has been an active member of the Gold Coast business community, serving as a Director for a variety of business associations and organisations, including Gold Coast Rugby and the Gold Coast Turf Club, and as Director and Regional Chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland. Tom is a Life Member of the Surfers Paradise/Broadbeach Chamber of Commerce.